Employment · Legal glossary
Fixed-term employment contractIn Arabic: عقد العمل محدد المدة
Definition
A fixed-term employment contract is عقد العمل محدد المدة in Arabic: an employment contract made for a stated term that ends when that term ends.
How it varies across the GCC
In Saudi Arabia a non-Saudi worker’s contract must be written and for a fixed term. If the term is left out it is one year, and it renews for the same term (Labour Law, article 37 as amended). The current UAE rule after the amendments, and its article number, are under review. So are the other states.
The rules that apply to a specific matter depend on the state, any free zone involved and the current text of the law, so check the official source before relying on them.
Basis by country
| Country | Basis |
|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | Under review |
| Saudi Arabia | Labour Law, article 37, as amended: a non-Saudi worker’s contract must be written and for a fixed term. If the term is omitted it is one year, and it renews for the same term. |
| Bahrain | Under review |
| Qatar | Under review |
| Kuwait | Under review |
| Oman | Under review |
Sources
Official texts for the points on this page. General information, not legal advice. An article number is cited only where it was verified.
- Saudi Labour Law, art. 37https://laws.boe.gov.sa/BoeLaws/Laws/LawDetails/08381293-6388-48e2-8ad2-a9a700f2aa94/1